Dip tube for aerosol dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dip tube for an aerosol dispenser comprising an elongated plastic tube having a shape retaining wire embedded into the body of the plastic tubing and coextensive therewith for controlling the curvature of the dip tube and maintaining it in a predetermined orientation. Alternatively, the wire can be inserted within the tube with the opposite ends thereof embedded in the inner wall of the tube or the wire can be provided with loops at opposite ends thereof and applied externally of the tube to stabilize the curvature of the tube.

@nnniing [54] @1111 Til/EH AERQSQL DMLPENSEER [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

ll 'nnil 1E. Gunning, Kenmore, NY

Usrnnse Wnnd Preserving Ce. at America, llne, Buffalo, NY.

[22] Filed: Nev. 6, W69

[21] Appl.N0.: ti'mfiiiitl [52] 1J5. Cl IBM/W21 [511 lint. tCl t 4.lhltifirl 513/1110 [58] ll ieldl nil flenreh ..222/394, 402.1, 402.25,46 1,

[56] liteterenees Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,593,016 7/1926 Campbell..138/172 M 2,497,181 2/1950 Mikeska US/1787i 2,704,556 3/i955 Blish..138/D1G. 8

3,301,438 1/1967 Tillotson .1222/ 1t5 l7t FUWETGN PATENTS GitAPPLliC/TTTONS 208,664 4/1960 Austria .1 1 311/1 72 PrimaryExaminer-Samuel 1 Coleman Attorney--Christel and Bean [5 7] AIEWTEMET Aclip tube for an aerosol dispenser comprising an elongated plastic tubehaving a shape retaining; Wire embedded into the body of the plastictubing and coextensive therewith for controlling the curvature of thedip tube and maintaining it in a predetermined orientation.Alternatively, the Wire can be inserted within the tube with theopposite ends thereof em bedded in the inner wall of the tube or thewire can be provided with loops at oppesite ends thereof and appliedexternally of the tube to stabilize the curvature of the tube.

2 Cllniine, 6 ltl rmving, liignree PATENTEDFEB29 m2 INVENTOR, Pauln'rmAT TO Trill 'IIUIBE ll flit AEIITGSGL DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to dispensing containers of the aerosoltype and, more particularly, to dip tubes used in such aerosoldispensing containers.

In aerosol dispensing containers of the conventional type, it is knownto employ a conduit or tubing, commonly known in the art as a dip tube,for conveying the container contents from the lower portion of thecontainer to the discharge opening. Generally, the dip tube is formed ofa plastic material and is connected to or associated with the aerosolvalve which controls the flow of the pressurized contents through thedischarge opening. The plastic tubing is supplied in large coils ofcontinuous length and must be cut into discrete lengths in conformitywith the size of the specific aerosol dispenser with which it is used.Because such plastic tubing is supplied in coil form, a preset curvatureis imparted to the tubing which is retained in the dip tube afterassembly into the aerosol container.

One problem encountered with such precurved dip tubes is in orientingthe lower or inner end thereof in such a manner as to insure completeutilization or discharge of the container contents. This optimumorientation is achieved by locating the lower end of the dip tube in aradial direction coinciding with the direction in which the contents areto be dispensed or sprayed. This is particular desirable in aerosolcontainers which must be tilted downwardly in the direction ofdischarge, such as containers having starch or furniture wax contentswhereby the container must be tipped downwardly to spray onto horizontalsurfaces.

Some attempts have been made to solve this problem by placing an indexmark on the valve cup assembly coinciding with the direction of the diptube curvature. In use, the rotatable actuator of the aerosol containeris indexed to coincide with the mark indicating proper alignment of thelower end of the tube with the discharge opening. However, it has beenfound in practice that the actual disposition of the dip tube varies asmuch as i 30 percent from the desired or intended dip tube orientation.This wide variance results in costly wastes and is intolerable with manypressurized products.

Although the dip tube may be properly aligned with the index mark, thereis no assurance that such alignment will remain when the container isfilled with product. Normally, the dip tube is of a length so that itsend is forced against the bottom wall of the container to stabilize theposition of thedip tube. However, if the product is filled through theaerosol valve and dip tube, as in many container filling techniques, thevelocity of flow of the product causes the inner end of the dip tube tovibrate and whip about, resulting in a repositioning of the inner end ofthe dip tube. The index mark then does not in dicate the accurateorientation of the dip tube inlet and it becomes useless.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a dip tube for a dispensing container having means forcontrolling the curvature of the dip tube within tolerable limits.

It is another object of this invention to provide reinforcing means forthe foregoing dip tube to maintain the curvature thereof substantiallystabilized.

The dip tube of the present invention is characterized by the provisionof a shape retaining wire embedded into the body of the plastic dip tubeor attached thereto for controlling the curvature of the clip tube andmaintaining it in a predetermined orientation.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing featuresof the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuingdetailed description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof, takentogether with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference charactersdenote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWlhlG FIGURES FIG. I is a side clevationalview of an aerosol dispenser incorporating a dip tube of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the dip tube taken about online 2-2 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second form of dip tube ofthis invention;

FIG. l is a transverse sectional view taken about on line l- 4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of dip tube ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another form of (liptube of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBGDIMENTS For the general purpose ofthe disclosure of this invention, it can be assumed that the containerof the embodiment illustrated herein is generally cylindrical althoughit is to be un derstood that the dip tube which forms the subject matterof the present invention may be applied with equal effect to containersof other shapes and forms. In FIG. 1, there is shown a tubular or hollowcylindrical container body Ml having a top end wall 112 and a bottom endwall M.

Top end wall 112 is curved slightly upwardly toward the central portionthereof and terminates in an annular bead lib defining a central openinglb in top end wall H2. The outer peripheral edge of top end wall 12 isprovided with an inturned, curved flange rolled into sealing relationwith an annular bead 2b forming a continuation of container body MI anddisposed about the upper end thereof. Bottom end wall lid is dishedinwardly and is attached to container body ill) in a manner similar tothat of the top end wall. The peripheral edge of bottom end wall M isprovided with an inturned, curved flange rolled into sealing relationwith an annular bead 322 forming a continuation of container body illand disposed about the lower end thereof.

A cup-shaped valve mounting, generally designated 24, is received inopening llll and is crimped into sealing relation with bead 116 as at 26to provide a fluid tight, leakproof seal therebetween. Valve mounting 24constitutes a closure for the otherwise open upper end of the dispensingcontainer and comprises an annular base 28 having upstanding inner andouter peripheral walls Bill and 32, respectively. Inner peripheral wall30 is crimped inwardly as at El i for receiving and retaining an aerosolvalve assembly 36 therein.

A valve stem 38 projects through the upper end of valve assembly 36 andterminates in an enlargement or dispensing button All) having adischarge opening 42 therein. The valve assembly as is of a conventionaltype well known in the art and it is believed that no furtheramplification of the structure thereof is necessary. Suffice it to saythat depression of button ill actuates valve assembly 36 to admit thepressurized contents of the container into stem Elli and outwardlythrough discharge opening 42. The contents can be any material underpressure, preferably a gaseous pressure, and can be dispensed in theform of a mist, a spray or stream of liquid or semisolid material.

In accordance with the present invention, the lower end of valveassembly Elli is provided with a reduced neck portion 14 constitutingthe valve assembly inlet and having one end of a dip tube, generallydesignated as, releasably secured thereon. Dip tube 46 comprises alength of tubing dtl, preferably formed of a flexible, plastic material,extending generally arrially downwardly from neck portion M throughcontainer body ill) and curved radially outwardly to terminate in thepocket formed between bottom end wall M and the sidewall of containerbody it). It should be noted that the lower end of dip tube 46 is curvedin a direction coinciding with discharge opening 4162 so that thecontainer contents remaining in the annular pocket formed betweencontainer body Ill) and bottom end wall 14 will be substantiallycompletely removed through dip tube 46 and dispensed through opening 42in the event container body 10 is tilted forwardly in the direction ofopening 42.

A significant feature of this invention is the provision of means forcontrolling and stabilizing the curvature of dip tube 46. Such meanscomprises an elongated strip of spring steel wire 50 capable ofretaining the shape into which it is bent. As shown in FIG. 2, springsteel wire 50 is embedded within the wall of dip tube 46. Wire 50extends lengthwise of tube 46 and is completely encased therein exceptfor the opposite ends thereof which can be exposed. Wire 50 can beembedded or encased into the wall of dip tube 46 during the extrusionprocess employed in the plastic tubing manufacturing operation.

Wire 50, along with tube 46, is bent into the desired curvature afterattachment to valve assembly 35 and prior to insertion in container bodyit Wire 50 retains the shape into which it is bent and maintains tube 46in the same shape. Thus, dip tube 416 is shaped and maintained in thedesired curvature by means of the curvature imparted to wire 50.Although dip tube 46 may vibrate in the event container product isfilled through such tube, it will assume its original shape and returnto the desired orientation by means of the preset curvature imparted towire 50.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another form of the dip tube of this inventionwherein dip tube 46 is provided with a lateral projection in the form ofa rib 52 extending lengthwise of tube 46 and formed integral therewith.Wire 50 extends axially through said rib 52 and is coextensivetherewith. Wire 50 can be introduced into rib 52 during the initialforming of the plastic tubing in a manner similar to that describedabove. 1

H6. 5 illustrates a third form of dip tube of the present inventionwhich utilizes a relatively short length of wire 56 bent to the desiredcurvature and inserted into dip tube 46 to the relative positionrequired for imparting the desired curvature to dip tube 46. Theopposite ends 58 of wire 56 extend angularly to the inner wall of diptube 46 and are embedded therein for attachment thereto but do notproject through the wall of dip tube 46 sufficiently to puncture thesame. Wire 56 has the same shape retaining properties as wire 50 but isformed of a noncorrosive material, such as l8-gauge (B and S) springsteel wire for example, to resist the corrosive action of the containercontents. Of course, wire 50 also can be of corrosion resistantmaterial.

FIG. 6 illustrates still another form of dip tube of the presentinvention employing a relatively short length of wire 60 appliedexternally of dip tube 46. The opposite ends of wire 60 are providedwith loops 62 oriented at an angle to tube 46 and embracing the same tocontrol the curvature thereof. Wire 60 is attached to tube 46 prior toinsertion in container body 10 and bent to impart the desired curvatureto dip tube 46. Wire 60 has the same shape retaining and corrosionresistant properties as wire 56 since it is exposed and subjected to thecorrosive action of the container contents.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the objects of the presentinvention have been fully accomplished. As a result of this invention animproved dip tube is provided for an aerosol dispensing container. Thedip tube curvature is controlled and shaped by the provision of wireretaining means. Also, the wire retaining means stabilizes the curvatureof the dip tube so that the free end thereof remains in the desiredorientation.

Preferred embodiments of this invention having been disclosed in detail,it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustrationonly.

i claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contentscomprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; avalve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging saidpressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature andconnected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extendingthrough said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent saidclosed endof said container body; said dip tube having means forstabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature;said stabilizing means comprising a single, resiliently yieldable,elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which itis bent whereby said dip tube will return to said desired curvatureafter being displaced in any plane by forces induced in said tube; saidwire being disposed bodily within a hollow passage defined by said cliptube and provided with bent opposite ends embedded in the inner wall ofsaid clip tube.

2. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contentscomprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; avalve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging saidpressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature andconnected at one end to said valve as sembly; said clip tube extendingthrough said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent saidclosed end of said container body;said dip tube having means forstabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature;said stabilizing means comprising a single, elongated wire of springsteel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent, said wire beingdisposed exteriorly of said clip tube and being provided with loops atthe opposite ends thereof formed integral with said wire and wrappedabout said dip tube for securing said wire thereto.

1. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packed contentscomprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closed end; avalve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging saidpressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature andconnected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extendingthrough said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent saidclosed end of said container body; said dip tube having means forstabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature;said stabilizing means comprising a single, resiliently yieldable,elongated wire of spring steel adapted to retain the shape into which itis bent whereby said dip tube will return to said desired curvatureafter being displaced in any plane by forces induced in said tube; saidwire being disposed bodily within a hollow passage defined by said diptube and provided with bent opposite ends embedded in the inner wall ofsaid dip tube.
 2. A dispensing apparatus for gaseous pressure packedcontents comprising: a container body having an outlet end and a closedend; a valve assembly mounted in said outlet end for discharging saidpressurized contents; a dip tube having a desired curvature andconnected at one end to said valve assembly; said dip tube extendingthrough said container body and terminating in a free end adjacent saidclosed end of said container body; said dip tube having means forstabilizing and maintaining said dip tube in said desired curvature;said stabilizing means comprising a single, elongated wire of springsteel adapted to retain the shape into which it is bent, said wire beingdisposed exteriorly of said dip tube and being provided with loops atthe opposite ends thereof formed integral with said wire and wrappedabout said dip tube for securing said wire thereto.